South Abington Twp. names new police chief

May 8—SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — After roughly 50 years of police work, including 45 in the township, Police Chief Robert "Doc" Gerrity will step down, township officials said Monday.

Replacing Gerrity, South Abington's top cop since 1991, will be Patrolman Paul Wolfe.

The announcement came at a public meeting of the township supervisors Monday afternoon. The change takes effect June 4.

"I'm almost at a loss for words here," Gerrity, 69, said during the meeting. "It's just been a true honor and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I've tried always to do the best job that I possibly could and I certainly hope that I have. ... I wish I could be here another 45 years."

Gerrity began his career as a part-time patrolman in Archbald in 1973, and then took a position in South Abington Twp. in 1978.

The township's supervisors appointed him police chief in June 1991. Longtime Supervisor Giles Stanton, among those who voted for Gerrity's appointment, took part in honoring him nearly 32 years later at Monday's meeting.

While he feels "good," the chief said a recent illness convinced him it was time to retire.

Harold A. Nudelman, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Northeastern Lodge 63, which covers South Abington Twp., said Gerrity's tenure is among the longest of any police chief in Lackawanna County's history.

"He's always been a leader all the years I've known him," Nudelman said. "He's always been on top of his game."

Wolfe, 49, started his career with the department as a part-timer in 1999, working over the years as a SWAT operator, a Lackawanna County Drug Task Force member, a firearms instructor, a criminal investigator and the agency's first K-9 handler. Wolfe recently began shadowing Gerrity to get a handle on the administrative duties of a police chief.

"I've got big shoes to fill," Wolfe said. "I think he did a fantastic job; I want to keep that ship straight."

Nudelman called Wolfe a "solid candidate."

Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell said, "We're confident (Wolfe) will set the same example."

Part-time Patrolman Peter Egan will start as a full-time police officer May 21 to replace Wolfe on patrol. Egan will earn about $55,000 annually at first, but the pay will increase over time to the annual base rate of $74,191, township Secretary and Treasurer JoAnn Pane said. The 22-year-old started as a part-time patrol officer about 1 1/2 years ago.

Wolfe's annual salary as police chief will be about $80,000, Pane said.

CHRISTOPHER J. KELLY, staff writer, contributed to this report.

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